A new Android malware has been discovered and its called Geinimi- a trojan that is capable of stealing information and uploading it to remote servers.
Geinimi is the first Android malware in the wild that displays botnet-like capabilities. It has been spotted on third-party Android application marketplaces especially in China.
As for now, Geinimi hasn’t made a malicious move yet, but mobile security firm Lookout suspects that it is building a botnet — an army of devices that can be controlled remotely — with the ability to run applications on your phone without your knowledge or consent.
How to stay safe?
Here’s some tips from Mylookout:
- Only download applications from trusted sources, such as reputable application markets. Remember to look at the developer name, reviews, and star ratings.
- Always check the permissions an app requests. Use common sense to ensure that the permissions an app requests match the features the app provides.
- Be aware that unusual behavior on your phone could be a sign that your phone is infected. Unusual behaviors include: unknown applications being installed without your knowledge, SMS messages being automatically sent to unknown recipients, or phone calls automatically being placed without you initiating them.
- Download a mobile security app for your phone that scans every app you download. Lookout users automatically receive protection against this Trojan.
This article is contributed by Antivirus365, Kaspersky Lab SEA E-Store.
